31The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.H1697H4428H3927H4853H517H32562O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,H1248H1248H990H1248H50883do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.H5414H2428H802H1870H4229H44284It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.H4428H3927H4428H8354H3196H335H176H7336H79415For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.H8354H7911H2710H8138H1779H1121H60406Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.H5414H7941H6H3196H4751H53157Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.H8354H7911H7389H2142H59998Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.H6605H6310H483H1779H1121H24759Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.H6605H6310H8199H6664H1777H6041H34
A Wife of Noble Character
10Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.H4672H2428H802H4377H7350H644311Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.H3820H1167H982H2637H799812She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.H1580H2896H7451H3117H241613She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.H1875H6785H6593H6213H2656H370914She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.H5503H591H935H3899H480115She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.H6965H3915H5414H2964H1004H2706H529116She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.H2161H7704H3947H6529H3709H5193H375417She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.H2296H4975H5797H553H222018She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.H2938H5504H2896H5216H3518H391519Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.H7971H3027H3601H3709H8551H641820She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.H6566H3709H6041H7971H3027H3421She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.H3372H7950H1004H1004H3847H814422She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.H6213H4765H3830H8336H71323Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.H1167H3045H8179H3427H2205H77624She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.H6213H5466H4376H5414H2289H366925She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.H5797H1926H3830H7832H3117H31426When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.H6605H6310H2451H3956H8451H261727She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.H6822H1979H1979H1004H398H3899H610428Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.H1121H6965H833H1167H198429“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”H7227H1323H6213H2428H592730Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.H2580H8267H3308H1892H802H3373H3068H198431Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.H5414H6529H3027H4639H1984H8179
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, which his mother taught him.H1697
